Tompolo wants to kill me, says local chief

The crisis rocking the Egbema/Gbaramatu Communities Development Council in Delta State assumed a worrisome development yesterday when the outgoing chairman, Edmund Doyah-Tiemo, accused ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, (alias Tompolo) of threatening to kill him.

The EGCDC is the body entrusted with the multibillion naira budget of Chevron Nigeria Limited for the development of 16 Ijaw communities in Egbema and Gbaramatu.

The chairman, who convened a meeting to explain the delay in inaugurating a new leadership for the body yesterday, accused “some persons who are not members of the council” of interfering in the affairs of the body.

He then zeroed in on Tompolo, saying: “Tompolo called me and threatened my life.

“He said if I continue with the election and inaugurate a new chairman he would find me wherever I am and deal with me.

“Tompolo said even if I go to Lagos or anywhere, he would search for me.”

Doyah-Tiemo said he was waiting for Benikrukru, one of the 16-member communities in the CDC, to nominate its representatives to enable him inaugurate new leaders and handover.

But, Tompolo, who spoke through his media aide, Paul Bebenimibo, denied the allegation.

He accused the EGCDC Chairman of sacrificing the communities’ interests for his personal gains.

Tompolo said: “There was no threat to his life. We merely warned him not to do anything that is against the interests of our people.

“The council is made up of the people of Egbema and Gbaramatu kingdoms.

“Recently, he went ahead to sign a GMoU with Chevron, even though his tenure had expired.

“Now, the Gbaramatu people said they are no longer comfortable with the GMoU and they withdrew.

“The man has no issue; he is based in Lagos and has no interest here; that is why he is not bothered about the interests of the people.

“He is trying to bring divide-and-rule tactic into the council.

“Besides, Doyah-Tiemo is an Egbema man, he is not from Gbaramatu. So he should be minding his business as an Egbema person and not dabbling in the issues of Gbaramatu,” he added.